Switch



5.35:. 25, 1945. J. w.- LAWSON SWITCH Filed June 2, 1945 INVENTOF? Ja/znW: Z :2 W507? Patented Sept. 25, 1945 SWITCH John.- W. Lawson, Anderson,Ind., assignor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich, a

corporation of Delaware Application June 2, 1943, Serial No. 489,389

' 13 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in rotary type switches for useon automotive vehicles and more particularly the military type.

It is an object of the present invention to provide in a switchstructure, two separate manual controllers, one of which controls aplurality of circuits and the other to control movements of the circuitcontroller. This switch is particularly adapted for controlling circuitsfor four conditions of driving and parking, namely, black-out parking,black-out driving, daylight driving with only the stop light burnin whenthe brakes are applied, and night driving with regular or service headand tail lamps burning.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved typeof switch means having a plurality of on positions on each side of an"011 position and having tw manually operated members, a pusher memberand a rotatable member, so arranged that the pusher member will permitthe rotatable member to'move the switching means in one direction ofrotation to its first "on position, but prevents further movement of theswitching means in said direction to the remaining "on positions andalso tozprevent the switching means from moving to an on position in theopposite direction of rotation so long as the pusher member is in itsnormal position. When the pusher member is pushed a certain distancefrom its normal position the switching means can move by the rotatablemember in either direction of rotation to any one of the on" positionsto be selected.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pair of controlmembers each having means which cooperate with each other so as toprevent accidental turning of the switching means in the wrong directionof rotation and also prevent the switching means from making a completerotary movement in the other direc- ;ion of rotation.

Further objects and advantages of the present .nvention will be apparentfrom the following de- ;cription reference being had to the accompanyngdrawing wherein a preferred embodiment of ;he present invention isclearly shown.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the :witch embodying thepresent invention and alien on the line of Fig. 2.

Figs. 2 and 3 are respectively, front and rear iews of the switchlooking respectively in the lirections of arrows 2 and 3 of Fig.

Figs. 4, 5, 6 and '7 are sectional views respecively on lines 4-4, 5-5,66 and |-'l of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing designates a cupshaped housing or casing havinga bottom wall 2| provided with an opening 22 through which a bushing orhearing 23 extends, said bushing has a shoulder at 24 engaging a detentplate 25 engaging the inner side of the wall 2|. The bushing 23 andplate 25 are held in a fixed relation with respect to the bottom wall 2|by upset ting the bushing at several places, as at 26, over the outerface of the bottom wall 2| as shown in Fig. 4. The bushing 23 is alsoprovided with a shoulder 21 engagin a washer 28 engagirlgan instrumentpanel 29 having an opening through which the bushing extends. Thebushing also extends through an apertured index plate 30 and a washer3|. A nut 32 has screw threaded engagement with the threaded end of thebushing 23 which on being screwed thereon clamps the washer 28 betweenthe shoulder2-l of the hearing 23 and the panel 28 an'dtfi plate 30against the panel.

The bearing 23 slidably supports a shaft 35 having a tapered end allprovided with flats engaging corresponding flats provided by a handle orlever 31. The handle is attached to the shaft 35 by a screw 38. Thus,relative movement between the handle 31 and the shaft 35 is prevented.The other end of the shaft 35 is, preferably, though not necessarily,provided with reduced portions 38 and 40 with the reduced portion 40journalled in an insulating plate or closure 4|. It is to be understooddue to the length of the bearing surface of the bushing the por= tion 40of the shaft 35 could be eliminated. The shaft in this instance ispreferably formed with an integral flange providing radial arm portions42 and 43 with the arm 42 having 9, lug or projection 44 extending intoa slot 45, see Figs'l and 6, in an insulating contact carrier 46. Thecar rier 46 supports a plurality of contact plates 41, 48 and 49 oftriangular formation. The carrier has a central opening through whichportions 39 and 40 project loosely so that the carrier is capable offloatin free of the portion 40 under the pressure of a singlecompression spring 50.

The compression spring 50 surrounds the shaft 35 and is interposedbetween the flange comprising the arm portions 42 and 43 and the contactcarrier 46 for the purpose of urging the carrier toward the closure 4|causing the contacts 41, 48 and 49 to engage therewith. Since thecontact plates are identical in structure only one will be described indetail. For example, the triangular contact plate 41 may beformed withthree spherical bosses or buttons 5|, one adjacent each corner on oneside of the plate. On the other side of the plate three shanks 51 areprovided which pass loosely through openings 58 provided by the carrierto permit the plate to tilt in infinite directions relative to thecarrier. The buttons and the shanks 51.may be made of one piece namely aheaded rivet with the shank 51 press fitted into suitable openings inthe plate 41. In order to provide a fulcrum or pivot for the plate 41upon which the plate may tilt to adjust itself for engagement withstationary contacts supported on the closure 4| the central portion ofthe plate is preferably deformed to provide a boss, thereby providing afulcrum point 54 for the plate. It will be apparent from Fig. 1 thateach contact plate is free to tilt in many directions.

The pressure between the movable contact plates and the stationarycontact is substantially equal, because whatever force is imparted fromthe plate 45 to the contact 41, due to the action of spring 58, isdelivered to the point of engagement of the boss 54 when the plate 48engages the boss. The contact 41 is driven by the carrier 46 due to thefact that the shanks 51 project freely through apertures provided by thecarrier. The particular disposition of the contact plates 41, 48 and 49with respect to the carrier 45 has a three point support provided by thethree buttons 5| of the respective contacts 41, 48 and 49. Therefore thepressure exerted by the spring 58 is equally distributed so that eachcontact button gets one-third and since each contact plate equallydistributes its pressure to its individual three contact buttons then itmay be said that each movable contact button receives substantiallyone-ninth of the total pressure exerted by the spring 58. In this way,the movable contact buttons bear uniformly upon the stationary contactswhich are flush with the inner surface of the closure 4|.

The closure 4| of the switch is made of any suitable non-conductingmaterial, such as fiber or Bakelite which is provided with an ear 55extending into a notch 55, in the peripheral flange of the cup-shapedhousing 20 to locate definitely the position of the closure therewith.-The housing has a plurality of tangs 51 bent over the closure 4| bywhich the closure is attached to the housing 28. The closure 4| supportsa plurality of stationary contacts 8|, 82, 63, 54, 65 and 98 which arearranged in the same inner circular row with contacts 61 and 68. Thecontacts SI, 62, 83, 84, 65 and 69 are electrically connected by a strap18. The base is also provided with an outer row of stationary contactsincluding contacts 1|, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19 and 88. Contacts 13and 15 are electrically connected by a strap 8|. Contacts 91, 18, 19 and88 are connected together by a strap 82. The straps 18, 8| and 82 arelocated on the outer face of the closure so that the triangular shapedmovable contact plate 41, 48 and 49 shown in Fig. 6 cannot engage thestraps.

Referring to 'Fig. 1 the movable contacts are yieldingly maintainedeither in the "011 position or any of the four "on" positions by adetent device including the detent plate 25 having five equidistantslots 85 each capable of receiving a ball 88 located in a pocket 81 ofarm 42. The ball 86 is urged by a spring 88 toward the plate 25. Sincethe plate 25 must be located in a definite relation to the case 28 whichis located in a definite relation to the closure 4|, the plate 25 isprovided with an aperture 89, see Fig. '1.

which receives a lug or projection 98 integral with bottom wall 2| ofcase 28. Rotation of the handle 31 in either direction of rotation islimited by stop means comprising a projection 9| of arm 42 received inan arcuate slot 92 in plate 25, see Fig.

To prevent any inadvertent or accidental movement of the handle 31 in a.clockwise direction the "011 position as shown in Fig. 2 the arm portion43 is provided with a notch 93 intermediate its peripheral edge, toprovide abutments 94 and 95 as shown in Fig. '1. The notch 93 receivesan enlarged portion or head 98 of a rod or plunger 91 having acup-shaped push button 98. The enlarged portion 96 will move out of theplane of the arm portion 43 when the button 98 is moved to the left, asviewed in Fig. 1, against the action of a spring 99 retained in a pocket|88 within a hub |8| riveted to the wall 2| of the housing 28 withinwhich the plunger is guided. The spring 99 normally holds the plunger 91in such position that movement of the handle 31 clockwise from "011position is limited to one switch closed position. The handle 31 cannotbe moved in a clockwise position, as viewed in Fig. 2 or in acounterclockwise position as viewed in Fig. 7. Only when the plunger 91is manually moved to the left against the action of the spring 99 toshift the enlarged portion 98 beyond the plane of the arm 43 may thehandle 31 be moved in either direction of rotation from the "offposition. When the handle moves the arm 43 to its extreme on" positionsand the push button is released the enlarged portion 96 will ride on theunnotched portion of the arm 43. Thus, when the handle returns towardthe "off position and the enlarged portion is between the abutments 94and 95 the plunger will automatically return to its normal position witha snap action.

The outer face of the bottom wall 2| supports a plate |83having'suitable legends |04 while the handle is provided with a pointeror other suitable indicator |85, adapted to coact with the legends I84to show the positions occupied by the movable contact members.

The general operation of the switch without ,taking into considerationthe function or position of the plunger 35 will be clear from theforegoing but it may be briefly summarized as follows: When the handleis in the off" position as shown in Fig. 2 all circuits controlledthroughthe switch are open. However, should the handle 31 be moved in acounterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2 so that the pointer I isopposite the legend Bo-Mk the movable contacts 41, 48 and 49 'willengage stationary contacts as follows: 41 (62-12); 48 (85, 14-15); 49(11-18). When the handle is moved further in a counterclockwisedirection to bring the pointer I85 opposite the legend Bo-Dr the movablecontacts will engage the following stationary contacts' 41 (6|, 1i-12);48 (84, 13-14); 49 (61-11). Should the handle be moved in clockwisedirection to bring the pointer I85 opposite the legend Stop-Lt" themovable contacts will engage the following stationary contacts, 41(63-13); 48 (16); 49 (19-88); and when the pointer is moved further inthe clockwise direction to bring the pointer I85 opposite the legendHdf-Lts the movable contacts will engage the following stationarycontacts; 41 (84, 13-14): 48 (8G, 18); and 49 (88, 88).

In the regular operation of the improved construction the movement ofthe handle 31 from the off position to the stop-Lt position can takeaeeaeco place without hindrance but the handle cannot be moved toposition Hd-Lts or the positions "Bo-Mk and Bo-Dr w hout requiring themanipulation of the plunger 35 because the enlarged portion will be inthe path of one or the other abutment 94 or 95. Thus the enlargedportion 98 of the plunger will prevent any inadvertent or accidentalmovement of the handle to rotate the carrier to bridge stationarycontacts to close circuits through the switch. This feature makes itnecessary to operate manually the plunger 91 before the handle 31 can bemanually operated to close a circuit which would be dangerous if saidcircuits were closed inadvertently or accidentally.

While the embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed,constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other formsmight be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims whichfollow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. Switch means comprising an axially movable plunger; switch meanshaving its axis paralleling the axis of the plunger and capabie ofrotating in either direction of rotation from a normal open position toa plurality of closed positions; contacts cooperating therewith;yieldable mechanism for holding the switch means in any one of itspositions; and means carried by the plunger cooperating with spacedabutments rotatable with the switch member to permit the switching meansto move a certain distance in one direction of rotation to one of theclosed positions but preventing the switch means from moving to anotherclosed position in that same direction and preventing the switch meansto move in the opposite direction from the normal open position, thedisplacement of the plunger means from engagement with the abutmentspermitting the switch means to rotate in either direction of rotation toany one of the closed positions.

2. Switch means compising, an axially movable plunger; a carrierrotatable in either direction of rotation from a normal "off position toa plurality of different on positions on each side of the off position;yieldable contacts supported by the carrier and adapted to bridgestationary contacts in the diflerent on" positions; cooperatingreleasable mechanism for holding the carrier in its different positions;a manually operable actuator for rotating the carrier; means movablewith the actuator, said means having a slot to receive a head on theplunger, said head permitting rotary movement of the carrier in onedirection of rotation to one of the on positions upon actuation of thecarrier but preventing accidental rotary movement of the carrier in theopposite direction of rotation, said plunger being axially movable sothat the head of the plunger is moved beyond the slot of the movablemeans permitting the actuator to turn the carrier in either directionofrotation with the head riding on the unslotted portion of the movablemeans; and a spring pressing said plunger in a direction to return theplunger to its normal position when the head is in registry with thenotch.

3. In an electric switch the combination of a plunger mounted forstraight-line movement and having a manually operated member at one end;a spring for urging the plunger in one direction of its straight linemovement; a carrier adapted for rotation in either direction; anactuator for the carrier; an arm carried by the actuator and having anotch for receiving an en- 3 larged portion provided on the other end ofthe plunger, said notch being constructed so that the actuator can movethe carrier and arm a predetermined distance in one direction ofrotation relative to the plunger to permit the carrier to shiftyieldable contacts.

4. An electric switch comprising in combination; an axially movableplunger; a rotatable contact carrier having an off position and aplurality of on positions on each side of the ofi position; floatingcontacts carried by the carrier and adapted to bridge stationarycontacts; an actuator for rotating the carrier; an arm movable with theactuator and having a slot to receive a head on the plunger to permitrotary movement of the carrier in one direction of rotation to one ofthe on" positions upon operation of the actuator but preventingaccidental rotating movement of the actuator in the opposite directionof rotation, said plunger being axially movable so that its head ismoved out of the plane of the arm permitting the actuator to turn thecarrier in either direction oi. rotation with the head riding on theunslotted portion of the arm to hold the plunger in its depressedposition; and resilient means urging the plunger in a direction toreturn the plunger to its normal position when the head is in registrywith the slot.

5. Switch means comprising, an axially displaceable plunger providedwith a head; a rotatable shait; a contact carrier driven by the shaft;contact elements supported by the carrier and adapted to bridgestationary contacts; means movable with the shaft having a pair ofabutments; a head carried by the plunger and adapted to extend into thespace between the abutments so that the head will permit the shaft torotate in one direction of rotation to move the movable means and thecarrier to bridge certain contacts but preventing accidental movement ofthe shaft in the opposite direction, said plunger being capable oi axialmovement with respect to movable means so that the head is moved out ofthe plane of the movable means permitting the shaft to turn in eitherdirection of rotation.

6. A switch device providing a bearing; member guided for slidingmovement in the bearing to either of two positions; resilient means fornormally holding the member in one of said two positions; a rotatableshaft; a circuit closer driven by the shaft; 9. plate having a pair oiabutments and rotatable with the shaft, said abutments adapted to engagea head provided by slidable member, said abutments being spaced topermit a predetermined rotation of the shaft in one direction ofrotation but preventin accidental rotation of the shaftin the oppositedirection, movement of saidsliding member against the action ot' theresilient means to move the head out of the path of the abutmentspermits the shaft to rotate in either direction of rotation with thehead riding on the plate, said resilient means returning the slidingmember to its normal position when the heat. is between the abutments.

7. In a switch, the combination with a plunger having a head mounted foraxial movement; of a spring for urging the plunger in one direction; arotatable actuator; a floating contact carrier driven by the actuator; aplate attached to the actuator; resilient means about the shaft andresting on the plate and bearing against the carrier; movable contactscarried by the carrier; a support providing stationary contacts withwhich thevmovable contacts cooperate; abutments provided bythe plateandcoacting with the head of the plunger to permit apredetermined movementof the actuator in one direction of rotation but preventing accidentalmovement of the actuator in the opposite direction, axial movement ofthe plunger so that the. head is moved beyond the abutments permittingthe actuator to move in either direction of rotation; and cooperablereleasable mechanism for holding the actuator in its difierentpositions. I

8. In a switch, the combination with a plunger having an enlargedportion mounted for: sliding movement; of a spring for. urging theplunger in one direction; a rotatablei actuator; a floating contactcarrier; radial extensions mounted on the shaft, one of .said extensionshaving means for driving the carrier while another extension is providedwith a notch to receive the enlarged portion of the plunger, said headcooperating with the notch to control the rotatable movements of theactuator, said notch being greater in cross dimension than the head andso positioned in relation thereto to,permit a predetermined movement ofthe actuator in one direction of rotation but preventing accidentalmovement of the actuator in the opposite direction, axial movement ofthe plunger permitting the head to move from the confines'of the notchallowing the actuator to move in either direction of rotation; andresilient means for urging the movable contacts and the actuator axiallyin opposite directions.

9. In a switch, the combination comprising; an axially movable plungerand a rotary member having their axis in parallelism and mounted forindependent manual operation; a plurality of yieldable contacts...,actuated by the rotary member; stationary contacts arcuately disposedabout the axis of the rotary member and adapted to be engaged by theyieldable contacts; stop means carried by the axially movable memberlimiting the angular motion of the rotary mem-' ber in the normalposition of the plunger to a certain arc in one direction of rotationand preventing accidental motion of same in the opposite direction, theaxial displacement of the stop means by the plunger permitting therotary member to move ina greater are in either direction of rotation;and,addit ional stopmeans limiting the motion'of the rotary member ineither direction of rotation.

10. In a switch, the combination comprising, a slidable member and arotary member having their axes in parallelism and mounted forindependent manual operation; a carrier carryin yieldable contactsdriven by the rotary member; stationary contacts adapted to be engagedby the movable contacts; and means carried by'the slidable memberlocated in the path of means movable with the rotary member to limit theangular motion of the rotary member in one direction of .rotation butpreventing angular motion of the.

rotary member in the opposite direction when the slidable means-ism itsnormal position, the removal of the slidable means from its normalposition and out of the path of the rotatable means permitting therotary member to increase the angular motion of the rotary member insaid one direction of rotation and also permitting the rotary member inthe opposite direction of retation from its normal position.

11. In a switch of the kind specified having a shaft adapted forrotation in either direction from a normal position and provided with alateral flange having a peripheral notch to provide spaced shoulders; aplunger mounted relative to the shaft and having a head normally biasedinto the same plane of the flange and disposed in the space between theshoulders so that one shoulder is adjacent 'the head to prevent angularmotion of the shaft in one direction but having the other shoulderpositioned to permit angular motion in the opposite direction until theother shoulder engages head, said plunger being movable in a directionwhich is transverse to the plane of the flange to move the head out ofthe plane of the flange and thereby permit greater angular motion of theshaft in said opposite direction and also permit angular motion of theshaft in said one direction from its normal position; and means forlimiting the angular motion of the shaft in both directions.

12. A switch of the kind specified having a rotatable. shaft providedwith a lateral flange; a plunger mounted for axial movement relative tothe flange; abutments on the flange between which the one end of theplunger normally rests, said plunger'being biased in one direction sothat said end normally cooperates with the abutments to limit theangular motion of the shaft in one direction and preventin angularmotion thereof in the opposite direction, said plunger being capable-ofaxial movement so that the end will be out of the path of the abutmentsto permit selectively angular motion of the shaft in either direction ofrotation. I

13. A controller comprising in combination, a rotatable manuallyoperable plate having a depression spaced from its axis of rotation; aspring pressed rod having its axis paralleling the axis of the plate andhaving one end thereof projecting into the depression, said end normallyengaging one end of the depression to prevent the plate from rotating inonedirection but permitting the plate to rotate in the oppositedirection until the specified one end of the rodengages the other end ofthe depression; said rod being disposed for manual operation to move thespecified end of the rod out of the depression whereby the plate canrotate in greater arcs in either direction, said specified end of therod engaging the plate upon manual release of the rod and same is out ofregistry with the depression, said rod reentering the depression whensame is in a position to receive the rod.

" JOHN W. LAWSON.

